Department Structure

The Department of Economic Policy & Research consists of two sections namely, the Policy & Research Section. The former is geared mainly towards the writing of economic policies as well as the advising of the Executive Council on various economic matters; where necessary this is based on research evidence of the Research Section. The Research Section is primarily tasked with the statistical monitoring of the economy, collecting & publishing of economic indicators as well as conducting related economic research. The following is a list of personnel and functions per section:

Personnel and Functions

Lucy Gibbes-Knight - Department Head
Marilyn Caprino - Secretary of Economic Policy and Research

Economic Policy Section
Wendy Jack - Junior Policy Advisor
Vacant - Policy Advisor
Vacant - Policy Advisor
Vacant - Policy Advisor

Research Section
Makini Hickinson - Section Head
Jaghaira Lioe-A-Tjam - Research Assistant

Department of Economic Policy & Research

Vineyard Bldg.
W.G. Buncamper Road # 33
Philipsburg
St. Maarten

Telephone: (599) 542-2337

Fax: (599) 542-3111
Email: depr@stmaarteneconomy.com

Department of Economic Policy & Research

The primary function of the Department is to “formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate the socio-economic policies of the Island Territory of St. Maarten with the ultimate purpose of stimulating economic growth and development”.

The main focus of the Department is to assist the Executive Council in achieving a balance between “controls and measures” versus ‘incentives” protecting and stimulating the economy of the island.

Major tasks of the Department include:
- Formulating and implementing of macro-economic policies geared at stimulating specific sectors with a focus on diversifying the economy
- Stimulation of economic activities, specifically those that contribute to the expanding of the economic basis of the island
- Formulating and implementing policies to protect and stimulate the labour market with focus on issues such as the creation of employment
- Formulating socio-economic policies geared at increasing the standard of living for the population
- Implementing various economic regulations, such as price control